Study associates Atpif1 gene with anemiaThe newly identified Atpif1 gene is crucial to the production of hemoglobin and its absence leads to severe anemia, according to a study published in the journal Nature. A deficiency of the gene could be associated with a number of diseases, according to a team from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The finding could lead to new therapies for anemia, said the researchers, who used zebrafish and the human form of the Atpif1 gene in this study. iVillage/HealthDay News
(11/7)

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Call for TendersThe Australian Red Cross Blood Service wishes to advise providers of Floor Standing Blood Bag Centrifuges of a call for tender. To receive more details, prospective suppliers should email bloodcentrifugetender@redcrossblood.org.au by 2.00pm AEDT Friday 9 November 2012. All tenders must be received by 2.00pm AEDT Friday 14 December 2012.

Science & Health

West Nile cases hit highest mark since 2003Through Tuesday, 5,054 cases have been reported in this year's outbreak of the West Nile virus, the most for that period since 2003, CDC officials said on Wednesday. Ten states account for most of the cases, with Texas reporting more than any other state, and 228 deaths have been recorded. HealthDay News
(11/7)

Discount on Regenerative Medicine Journal offered to AABB members
AABB has partnered with Regenerative Medicine Journal to offer a six-issue online subscription for $30 to AABB members. This journal provides a forum to address the important challenges and advances in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Visit the AABB Marketplace or add-on to your online AABB membership renewal.

Emerging Trends

Downloads related to Sandy show benefits of emergency appsSuperstorm Sandy prompted 400,000 downloads of the American Red Cross' Hurricane App, which is capable of tracking storms and turning smartphones into emergency flashlights and alarms. A Federal Emergency Management Agency app helped the disaster-struck find shelters and Disaster Recovery Centers. Additionally, the HomelessConnections app, typically used by social workers to connect the homeless with social services, was repurposed to help those who were temporarily dispossessed. MobiHealthNews.com
(11/6)

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Call for TendersThe Australian Red Cross Blood Service wishes to advise providers of Data Loggers of a call for tender. To receive more details about the tender and how to participate, prospective suppliers should email dataloggertender@redcrossblood.org.au by 2.00pm AEDT Friday 9 November 2012. All tenders must be received by 2.00pm AEDT Friday 14 December 2012.

Commentary: ACOs should focus on certain patient groupsA commentary in the journal Health Affairs stated that accountable care organizations should reach out to specific patient populations, such as those with chronic diseases, while policymakers should continue to reassess the success of the model. While it may not be a one-size-fits-all approach, the ACO model may serve as a component of a broader effort to reach such goals as reducing costs and improving care, the opinion piece said. Modern Healthcare (subscription required)
(11/5)

Experts call for better policies on newborn blood samplesBlood samples left over from newborn screening offer a lot of potential for genetic disease research, but instead they could be discarded or destroyed because most states lack policies on their use, according to experts. Scientists should push for the development of balanced policies that allow samples to be retained and at the same time take into consideration the ethical issues surrounding their use in research, experts said. Another recommendation is for researchers to work with communities and organizations in creating groups in each state to review policies and the use of blood spots. MyHealthNewsDaily.com
(11/7)

Obama's re-election leads to implementation of ACA in statesPresident Barack Obama's victory in this year's presidential election means that the Affordable Care Act must be implemented in every state, regardless of whether governors agree. State officials must inform the federal government on whether and how they plan to run their health insurance exchanges by Nov. 16. Bloomberg
(11/7)

Association News

Reminder: Individuals encouraged to register for November audioconferencesIndividuals are encouraged to register for either of the two remaining AABB audioconferences in November. "Designing SOPs for Learners to Avoid Common Nonconformances," to be held Nov. 14, will review how to write and validate standard operating procedures, or SOPs. Speakers will discuss areas in SOP design that contribute to nonconformances. The final audioconference in November, to take place Nov. 21, will examine the Kidd blood group system, including the antigens and antibodies associated with it.